'India failed to produce food to its full capacity'

Former UAS vice-chancellor and agricultural scientist M Mahadevappa has said that India, despite having good soil and agricultural conditions, has failed to produce foodgrains to its full capacity.

TNN | Jan 28, 2014, 09:44 IST

MYSORE: Former UAS vice-chancellor and agricultural scientist M Mahadevappa has said that India, despite having good soil and agricultural conditions, has failed to produce foodgrains to its full capacity. "This is due to the faulty package of agricultural practises adopted by our farmers," he added.

Speaking after inaugurating competitions in rural folk arts and culture being held as part of Jagadguru Shivarathreshwara jatra celebrations at Suttur village near here on Monday, he said: "India is one of the three countries to have the best agri-climatic conditions in the world, the other nations being Brazil and China," he pointed out. "China, which was producing foodgrains less than India in the '50s, is now producing 460 million tonnes (MT) of foodgrains, as against India's 250 MT. If India's package of practices and scientific knowledge are implemented properly, India can double its production, and the surplus can be exported," he claimed, adding that government has failed use the knowledge pool properly. Red-tapism and corruption have added to the problems of the farm sector, he felt.

Mahadevappa, who has received Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to agriculture, said: "The country has good agri-laboratories and scientists in the world. No other country can boast of having 60 agricultural universities and over 600 agricultural research stations." Even the US, China or any other country does not have such scientific facilities and expertise, he added.

Highlighting the need for the right implementation of package of practices and to take measures for soil and seed protection, he said ensuring the same will do wonders and change the country's food production. "What we have not done in the last 65 years can be achieved in just 5-6 years if the government comes out with new agriculture policy," he said, calling upon farmers to come forward and have more interaction with agri scientists.

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